The Restaurant Issue: 96 Favorites

In our tiny state, 96 restaurants may seem like a lot, so let’s put this in perspective: The Delaware Restaurant Association counts 1,900 members, everything from pizza joints to Zagat-listed classics. How do we choose 96? Editors considered the atmosphere, novelty, quality of cuisine, reputation, longevity, wine program, service and value at 200 top-tier restaurants (plus a few just over the state line), including past Best of Delaware winners. We didn’t include every neighborhood tavern—we’ll get to them in another issue—nor every neighborhood Italian place. (Find them at www.delawaretoday.com/Delaware-Today/February-2008/Dining-Guide-World-Class/.) Left standing: a diverse roster of places you simply must visit—if you haven’t already.

by the Editors

(page 7 of 26)

Confucius Chinese Cuisine

A secret handshake among locals who know how amazing it is, Shawn Xiong’s Confucius goes toe-to-toe with Rehoboth’s classiest restaurants. Like its simple, bright and sophisticated interior (eggshell walls covered sparsely with local artwork), Confucius’ dishes have an inescapably clean quality—beautifully plated, never greasy, never muddled with sauce. Fried dishes are only lightly fried. Peking duck is a signature dish. Go when you want to see where the town’s best chefs dine out. The surprise: Sunday brunch, a $10 three-course meal that may include items like steamed pork buns, stuffed eggplant, and dumplings. 57 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3848

The Crownery

Authentic Chinese cuisine is more common in big cities, but Hockessin is home to one of the area’s best examples of beyond-General-Tso Chinese. Think of it as soul food from the East—seafood-bean curd soup, salt-crust baked pork chops, fat braised egg noodles and mushrooms. 228 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, 239-3825